Armenian parliament ratifies treaty on joining Eurasian Economic Union

YEREVAN, December 4. /TASS/. Armenia’s parliament ratified a treaty on joining the Eurasian Economic Union on Thursday. A total of 103 deputies voted for and seven against with one abstention. The ratification was supported by all forces represented in the parliament, besides the Heritage opposition faction. The document on Armenia’s joining the Eurasian Economic Union was signed in Minsk on October 10. The current voting preceded the four-day debates. Deputy Finance Minister Suren Karayan said, “In the absence of customs duties mutual trade with the Eurasian Union will be more favourable. Particularly, local producers will export their goods to the EAEU markets on the easier terms.” Deputy speaker Eduard Sharmazanov said, “The issue has exclusive importance for the future of the development of the state and society in Armenia that is why the views in the National Assembly are expectable.” Membership in the Eurasian Economic Union opens the 170-million market and the republic has benefits to receive Russian energy carriers, he said. The opposition continues to confirm that Armenia’s joining the Eurasian Economic Union would pose a threat to its independence and restrict the republic’s political and economic rights. On September 21, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said membership in the Eurasian Economic Union did not threaten the republic’s sovereignty. Read more